So. Calif. Judge Orders Halt To Sweepstakes Videogame Operations

KERN COUNTY, CA -- Internet cafés in three communities have been ordered to cease operating sweepstakes videogames by a local judge.

Four venues in Bakersfield received the judicial order on July 23. Previously, the same court issued similar orders to three other Bakersfield locations, plus one site in nearby Delano and another venue in nearby Lamont.

According to the Bakersfield Californian, sweepstakes videogames have been targeted as illegal gambling devices by the Kern County District Attorney, and civil lawsuits have been filed against some of the operations.

As earlier reported by Vending Times, various California jurisdictions have been grappling with sweepstakes videogames since at least 2010. That's when police in Oakland ordered one location to halt its sweepstakes game operation. | SEE STORY